Summer is characterized by long days and short nights, with scorching heat. Due to the "aging" of organs, declining function, poor adaptability, and weak endurance, elderly people are prone to relapse of old illnesses or development of new ones if they are not careful.
So, how should the elderly spend the hot summer? They need to pay attention to "clothing," "food," "accommodation," and "movement." Let's think about it.
Clothing: In the hot summer, people sweat more, and "sweating profusely" is common. Therefore, elderly people should wear simple and comfortable clothes. The style should be loose to avoid tight-fitting clothes. In terms of color, choose light and elegant colors such as white, light green, light yellow, lake blue, brick gray, and silver gray to reduce the absorption of ultraviolet rays. The fabric should be sweat-absorbent and breathable, such as silk, cotton, and linen. Summer clothes should be washed frequently, and underwear should be changed daily. Comfortable summer clothes can help sweat absorption and heat dissipation, making people feel cool and comfortable.
Food: In summer, the digestive function of the elderly weakens. The diet should be warm, soft, easy to digest, and light. It is advisable to eat more fresh fruits, vegetables, lean meat, fish, shrimp, and soy products, and less oily food, fried dough sticks, fatty meat, and other heavy-flavored food. Avoid overly salty or spicy food to prevent phlegm, heat, fire, and dampness. It is especially important to avoid eating cold food such as ice bricks and cold dishes to prevent damage to the spleen and stomach and the onset of diseases. In addition, pay attention to the hygiene of food and drinking water to prevent "illness from entering the mouth."
Accommodation: In response to the hot and humid environment of summer, the elderly should have a well-ventilated, cool, quiet, and clean living space. The humidity should be maintained between 40% and 60%, and the temperature should be kept at 20°C to 25°C. Adequate sleep should be ensured, with at least 7-8 hours of sleep per day. After lunch, a short nap is recommended to rejuvenate the body and keep it in optimal condition. It is important not to sleep in open air, under eaves, corridors, or in front of windows, and to avoid sleeping in a draft or being exposed to a fan for a long time. This will prevent the invasion of external evils and the onset of symptoms such as headache, dizziness, abdominal pain, diarrhea, joint pain, and facial nerve paralysis.
Movement: In summer, it is advisable to minimize outdoor activities, especially during the scorching sun from 12 pm to 2 pm. If it is necessary to go out, it is best to take protective measures such as using a sun umbrella, wearing a hat and sunglasses, and applying sunscreen to exposed skin to reduce the threat of heat to the body. When going out, it is also advisable to carry essential oils, cooling oils, refreshing water, herbal solutions, medicinal pills, and honeysuckle lotion to be prepared for heatstroke emergencies.
